Jim and Mike Krekling of Krekling Painting helped on 2010 exterior facade restorations at the GRANADA. Rossi Construction as general contractor did tuckpointing and in the process, five previously-covered decorative bottle-glass windows were discovered above the entrance, and are now visible. Two of the five had been damaged, but were replicated. It’s true that the auditorium floor was leveled during its warehouseing years, but the stage and proscenium still stand intact above the new floor. I think the city is being unfair by demanding six dozen parking spaces before granting an occupancy permit, as a shuttle bus could easily carry visitors to other available nearby parking areas.

The item is two and a half years old, but here is a photo gallery with two historic and five modern photos of the Granada Theatre. As the auditorium floor has been leveled with concrete, it’s unlikely that this house will be returned to use as a theater. The owner as of October, 2010, intended to use the space as a banquet hall and events center.

This web page has four small photos of the facade by the construction company that did the restoration work.

I’ve been unable to find any recent reports on this project, and I can’t find a banquet hall or events center listed it its address. The project might have been stalled by the sluggish economy.

The Granada’s original Kilgen theatre organ is for sale! It was originally a 2/3 and though apparently mostly original, has some additional ranks added. It would be nice if the theatre could buy back their original organ to re-install!

The Life of Riley was released Septemer 3, 1927 and starred Charley Murray (former Keystone comedian) and George Sidney. Granada usually got films a few months after its release (as did most neighborhood theaters), which would explain its playing there upon the theater’s grand opening. It was released by First National Pictures, a division of Warner Brothers. As nearly 90 percent of all films made before 1930 are considered lost, it is unknown if a print of The Life of Riley survives today (if so, it would likely be in the Turner library and perhaps even a print at the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research, as that has extensive holdings from Warner Brothers).

Racine, Wis.â€"Two Milwaukee men were arrested here early today, following the burglary of the Granada theater, a suburban house. One of the men was caught after a chase of five blocks, halting only when the pursuing policeman fired several shots over his head. Loot totaling $450 was taken when the theater safe was opened. The men held give their names as Edwin Sampson, 25, 2060 58th street, and Eugene Hughes, 25, 7716 West Stevens street. Hughes confessed his part in the burglary and implicated Sampson, but the latter denied he participated, police said.

The loot consisted of $250 in checks, $45 in cash, a diamond ring a diamond brooch, a diamond stick pin and a gold watch. The checks, $10 in cash, the diamond stickpin and the brooch were found on Hughes' person, authorities said. A third Milwaukee man, believed to be the driver for the captured pair, was being sought by Racine and Milwaukee police. Racine police said Hughes and the driver answer the description of the men who shot and slightly wounded Earl Halberstadt, 35, tavern proprietor, in an attempted holdup here early Sunday morning. Halberstadt was shot in the head by two robbers who confronted him as he drove into his garage. The robbers fled.

Opened: 3pm Saturday, April 7, 1928 with “The Life of Riley” and stage presentation. Continual use until:

Closure: Sunday night, March 5, 1961 after final performances of “The
Shaggy Dog” and “Tarzan the Magnificent”. Theatre then used for storage until 2005.

Architect: J. Mandor Matson (Racine-area regional architect who also
designed the local CAPITOL Theatre, Racine City Hall, St. Edward’s Church and School, Horlick and Park High Schools, more).

Organ: Kilgen, moved to a private residence in or near Milwaukee
(researching).

Architecture: Spanish. Beamed ceiling with multiple ornamental overhead lighting. Fireplace in lobby.
No balcony, but has original crying room box and owners' private box on rear wall, second floor. Large lounge on second floor.